Now that we've all had some time to process this morning's Matt Belisle blockbuster, let's get this week's chat underway.

2:57

Filling up with some afternoon coffee and will begin taking questions in a minute

jays

2:58

Who has more trade value right now, JA Happ or Donaldson?

Steve Adams

2:59

Happ is healthy, pitching well right now and cheaper. If Donaldson comes back strong, he's my pick between the two despite the huge salary, but since you're asking for the present moment, Happ

Mike

2:59

What SP is more likely for the Yankees of the names out there?

Steve Adams

3:00

I think they should go after Happ. He's a better pitcher than Hamels at this point. Tyson Ross would be a good low-cost pickup for them as well, though I always have reservations about guys coming off of TOS

3:00

Nationals just announced that they've activated Daniel Murphy

Carlos M

3:00

What is wrong with me and can I get back on track after 2 horrible outings

Steve Adams

3:00

He went on the DL with a lat issue and has had terrible control since he's returned. I have to wonder if he's fully healthy.

Louis

3:01

Should the Angels be concerned about not being able to re-sign Trout?

Steve Adams

3:01

He's signed through 2020 as it is. I can think of a far more immediate concern facing them for now.

3:02

Not like they don't have the finances to offer him a record-setting contract anyway.

Justin

3:02

When will the O's start to sell? Will they do it soon or wait to near the deadline like usual?

Steve Adams

3:03

Most teams wait until closer to the deadline. I don't think they'll move any of their larger pieces in the near future, though it does seem like there's a bit more early trade talk this season than in years past

Larry

3:04

Is the "starting reliever" going to gain more traction?

Steve Adams

3:05

Probably. Dodgers have already done it a couple times, too. If you have a team that has three same-handed hitters that aren't going to be pushed down atop its lineup, I like the concept. If you can get someone who is death on right-handed batters to face Trout and Upton in the first inning before shifting to a more conventional "starter" for 5-6 innings, I say go for it.

Elon's Musk

3:05

What are Mike Trout's weaknesses? (There's at least one. This is a test.)

Steve Adams

3:06

I bet he's not a great pitcher and probably doesn't throw very well with his left hand.

3:06

Or hit well left-handed.

3:06

There's three. Boom. I'm good at this game.

James

3:06

Who could the Tigers all star be?

Steve Adams

3:07

Candelario, Castellanos? Maybe Martin? They've all been pretty good

Pad Squad

3:07

Is Travis Jankowski's upside higher than Manuel Margot's?

Steve Adams

3:07

Nope

3:08

Margot is three years younger and has everyday center fielder upside in him. Jankowski is probably a fourth OF, and he's rocking a .380 BABIP right now despite one of the worst hard-contact rates in the league

Dustin s

3:09

How will the giant manage to stay under the tax and still be able to trade for a starting pitcher?

Steve Adams

3:10

Get some team to take Sam Dyson or Hunter Pence (or some of his contract anyway) in return? They need to shed salary in any deal if they're going to remain under the luxury tax. Could also target someone nice and cheap (Hey there Tyson Ross)

Ray

3:10

Thoughts on plunking players in retaliation? Seems like it backfired on the Pirates last night

Steve Adams

3:10

Novel idea: stop deliberately throwing things at other people at 95-100 mph in general.

Jon

3:11

Would the braves trade Julio

Steve Adams

3:11

I'm sure they'd be fine with getting out from under the remainder of Teheran's contract, but his value is in the gutter right now. He's throwing 87-89 mph, and the pristine control that made him so good early in his career is gone.

have u seen my baseball

3:11

Is there anything baseball related that you like to collect when you go to different stadiums? pins, bobbleheads, etc?

Steve Adams

3:12

Nah, I'm more about trying various ballpark foods and local beers when I hit a new park. I have a wooden map of the US with all 30 MLB parks highlighted on it, and I pound a new pin into one every time I visit it. That's kind of my version of taking something away from it

Blake Parker

3:13

Have I shut down all talks of the Angels needing a closer?

Steve Adams

3:13

I don't know that we ever needed to highlight a specific need for a "closer" so much as just the need for another quality reliever and additional 'pen depth. Both of those still exist as far as I'm concerned.

Phillies

3:14

What's up with Arrieta? Seems like the contract was an overpay

Steve Adams

3:15

He's had like three bad starts all season. Granted, two of them have come in his past two turns, but he's sitting on a sub-3.00 ERA through 70 innings and allowing less hard contact than anyone in baseball with the exception of Noah Syndergaard.

3:15

He's been excellent so far.

Jacky

3:15

Other than Machado who else is leaving Baltimore?

Steve Adams

3:17

Britton and Brach seem like virtual locks (assuming Britton shows even modest production and good health)... I imagine they'll market O'Day quite a bit, too. Should listen on Givens, Bundy and Gausman but probably won't.

Will probably see some of the minor league vets they used to scrape together a roster put out there as well (Valencia, Alvarez, etc.)